Charles Matter
Charles F. Matter, 69, Denmark, passed away on April 18, 2011.
Chuck was born Jan. 24, 1942, in Williamsport, Penn., to the late William and Emily (Bangert) Matter.
He graduated from Lycoming College with a degree in Psychology and attended graduate school at the University of Washington in Seattle receiving a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology in 1972.
Chuck began his teaching career in 1973 at the Fox Valley campus of the University of Wisconsin and transferred to the UW-Green Bay campus in 1974. During his 32 year teaching career at UWGB he touched the lives of nearly ten thousand students through courses such as Introduction to Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Information Systems and Perception, as well as advising psychology majors and minors.
He was active in university governance and enjoyed attending basketball games, theater productions, jazz concerts and faculty and student art shows. He was beloved by his students and received numerous teaching awards.
Until his illness, Chuck led a very active life: hiking, biking and sailing in the warmer weather; cross-country skiing in the winter. He was an avid reader of all subjects, but he especially enjoyed detective and spy novels.
He is survived by his wife and trusted friend, Kathy Pletcher; stepson Timothy Pletcher; stepson, Christopher (Elizabeth) Pletcher and their children Lucy and Nela; sister-in-law, Joanne Matter; brother-in-law, Jim Kellerhals; and his nieces and nephew Cindy, Pam (Mark), Vicky, and Billy (Elizabeth).
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Emily Matter; brother, Bill; beloved aunt, Eleanor; devoted mother-in-law, Blanche; and faithful dog, Watson.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. A scholarship fund has been established at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Friends and former students who wish to make a memorial contribution may send donations to the "Charles Matter Scholarship" at the UW-Green Bay, Advancement Office, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI 54311.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Kindred Hearts for their respectful and loving care of Chuck during his illness, and to the staff of Unity Hospice and Parkview Manor for his end of life care.
Online condolences may be expressed at Schauer & Schumacher Funeral Home
432-4841
(Obituary published April 19, 2011, Green Bay Press-Gazette; reprinted with permission from Kevin Corrado, president and publisher, Green Bay Press-Gazette.)
Gathering to celebrate Chuck Matter's life will be Sunday, June 26
(Published June 11, 2011, Log newsletter, UW-Green Bay)
Family and friends of Chuck Matter will be gathering together on Sunday, June 26, from 3 to 5 p.m., to share memories and celebrate a life well lived. This will be an informal event with a brief program at 4 p.m. The gathering will be held at the Shorewood Club on the UW-Green Bay campus. "When we gather on June 26, we will share our collective memories of Chuck and toast his many contributions to UWGB, education of students and advancing research. If you wish to share your memory of Chuck online, please go to the Schauer and Schumacher Funeral Home website and sign the guestbook."
Donations accepted for Matter Memorial Scholarship
(Published June 11, 2011, Log newsletter, UW-Green Bay)
Prof. Chuck Matter passed away on April 18, 2011, after a long illness. He left behind thousands of students and hundreds of colleagues and friends. In honor of his dedication to student learning, the family has established the Matter Memorial Scholarship Recognizing Promise in Psychological Science. Anyone who wishes to make a memorial contribution may send donations to the Matter Scholarship at the UW-Green Bay Advancement Office, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI 54311-7001.